208 WILD FLOWER FAMILIES 



attract a great variety of flies and other insects 

 for the purpose of pollination. 



The Wild Carrot is an excellent example of the 

 large Parsley family (Umbellifera) in which 

 many small flowers -are held on rather short stems 

 that project from a common center. It is also 

 called the Carrot family. The cultivated carrot 

 has been developed from this wild species, which 

 is also called Bird's-nest and Queen Anne's Lace. 



Several weeds and poisonous plants also belong 

 to this Carrot family. Perhaps the most famous 

 of these is the Poison Hemlock, or Poison Pars- 

 ley. This is a wayside species growing sometimes 

 to a height of six feet, having many flat-topped 

 umbels of small white flowers, and finely cut 

 parsley-like leaves. It is a biennial and one of 

 the most poisonous of medicinal herbs. 



